Reykjavik: Langjökull Glacier Ice Cave Day Trip & Hot Springs

Summary

Langjökull’s blue ice tunnels, steaming springs and wild Icelandic weather

You’ll ride from Reykjavík into Iceland’s wild heart—steam rising at Deildartunguhver hot spring, blue water rushing at Hraunfossar, then deep inside Langjökull glacier itself. With local guides leading the way and all gear included, expect cold hands, big laughs and moments that stay with you long after you’re home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Langjökull glacier and nearby sights

• Visit Deildartunguhver hot spring
• See Barnafoss waterfall
• Explore Hraunfossar waterfalls
• Visit local horse farm
• Explore Langjökull ice tunnel

Top questions

How long is the drive from Reykjavík to Langjökull glacier?

It takes about 2–3 hours each way by tour vehicle from Reykjavík to Langjökull glacier, including sightseeing stops.

Are crampons or special gear provided for the ice cave tour?

Yes, crampons/ice spikes, snowsuits and boot covers are available to borrow during the tour.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

No lunch is included; bring snacks or buy food during stops along the route.

What other sights do we see besides Langjökull glacier?

You’ll visit Deildartunguhver thermal spring, Hraunfossar waterfall, Barnafoss waterfall and a local horse farm.

Is this tour suitable for kids or people with limited fitness?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels; walking inside the ice tunnel is easy with provided gear.

How cold does it get inside the glacier tunnel?

The temperature inside Langjökull’s ice tunnel stays below freezing year-round; warm clothing is recommended.

Does this day trip include hotel pickup in Reykjavík?

Yes, pickup from designated locations in Reykjavík is included in your booking.

What’s included

Your day includes sightseeing stops at Deildartunguhver hot spring and Hraunfossar waterfall before heading up onto Langjökull glacier by specially modified vehicle. All necessary gear like crampons or snowsuits is available to borrow if you need extra warmth. There’s WiFi on board and air conditioning (though honestly you won’t notice once you’re out on the ice), plus a local guide who keeps things running smoothly until you’re dropped back in Reykjavík at day’s end.

What’s the experience like?

I never thought I’d be standing inside a glacier, but there we were—boots crunching on packed snow, wind biting at my cheeks, Reykjavík feeling far behind. Our guide, Jónas, handed out crampons with a grin and told us to “walk like penguins.” The modified glacier truck was louder than I expected—kind of comforting though, rumbling across that endless white. The sky kept shifting between grey and almost-blue; it’s hard to describe the light up there. Cold seeped through my gloves but I didn’t really care.

Before we even got close to Langjökull’s ice cave, we stopped at Deildartunguhver. You can smell the sulfur before you see the steam—like boiled eggs and wet rocks. There were locals filling up jugs with hot water straight from the pipes (Jónas said his grandma swears by it for tea). Then Hraunfossar—icy blue water just pouring out of black lava fields. I tried to take a photo but it never looks right; you just have to stand there for a minute and listen to it.

The ice tunnel itself felt unreal—walls glowing pale blue, everything muffled except for our boots and the occasional drip. Jónas pointed out layers in the ice like rings in a tree, each one a different winter. Someone tried licking the wall (not me), which made everyone laugh and slip around for a second. I still think about how quiet it was in there; even my breath sounded loud. It’s colder than you expect but somehow not uncomfortable—maybe because you’re too busy staring.

We stopped at a horse farm on the way back—those Icelandic horses are smaller than I imagined but stubborn as anything. One of them tried to eat my glove (still got some slobber on it). By then my face was red from wind and laughing too much. The whole day felt kind of surreal—icy tunnels, boiling springs, waterfalls that seem to come out of nowhere—and then suddenly you’re back in Reykjavík like nothing happened.